Neill set for Anfield

By JOHN EDWARDS

Last updated at 22:53 14 December 2006

Lucas Neill's dream move to Liverpool moved a step nearer yesterday after Ukraine's top defender was lined up to replace him at Ewood Park.

Dynamo Kiev left-back Andriy Nesmachniy is expected in Blackburn for a medical in the next few days, prior to completing a transfer that would clear the way for Neill to become a Liverpool player when the January window opens.

The Blackburn skipper almost joined Liverpool last summer and has been so open about his desire to challenge for a place in Rafa Benitez's starting line-up that his own supporters have turned against him in recent weeks.

His wish is about to be granted after manager Mark Hughes finally abandoned any hope of persuading him to sign a new contract and stepped up the search for a replacement. After missing out on Dinamo Zagreb's Brazilian left-back Santos Carlos, Hughes quickly moved in for the vastly-experienced Nesmachniy.

Generally regarded as Ukraine's most accomplished defender, the 27-year old has won over 50 caps and was one of only three players to appear in every minute of their World Cup campaign last summer.

Dynamo's sports manager Leonid Buryak confirmed that the transfer was "almost done", while Nesmachniy said: "It is true that Blackburn have a strong interest, and I am just waiting to be told when I should fly to England. Unless something unforeseen happens, it should all go through."

Neill's versatility, in being able to fill either full-back position, is particularly appealing to Benitez, who rates the tough-tackling Aussie as a strong candidate for an automatic starting role.

The Liverpool manager feels Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise can both move forward to wide midfield positions, to make room for Neill at full-back, and believes the 28-year old can prove a valuable addition to his defensive options.

Benitez is also being linked with Livorno's highly-rated Italy squad keeper Marco Amelia (24), who is likely to reject the offer of a new contract after reportedly becoming a target for Milan, Juventus and Chelsea, as well as Liverpool.

"Liverpool want him in January, but I have had no contact from Milan, even though I know they are following him," said his agent Carlo Pallavicino.

If Benitez does follow up his interest, it is unlikely to be at the expense of Jose Reina, despite Valencia's best efforts to prise him away. Under-pressure coach Kiki Sanchez is desperate to pull off a big-name signing to take some of the sting out of sporting director Amadeo Carboni's attempts to replace him with Marcello Lippi, but Benitez is equally determined to secure Reina's Anfield future on a new long-term contract.

As Liverpool prepare to face Charlton tomorrow, there will be little sympathy from Steven Gerrard if Les Reed's side go the same way as Wigan a fortnight ago.

Wigan were trounced 4-0, and Gerrard would see a similar result as overdue retribution for the misery he suffered at the hands of Reed and Derek Fazackerley after being called into the England squad for the 2000 European Championships.

Reed and Fazackerley, now coaching at Manchester City, were part of Kevin Keegan's backroom staff, and Gerrard was scathing about both in his recent autobiography.

"I was a young lad who had never been away from home to play football before, and I felt Reed and Fazackerley could have shown more care and sympathy," he wrote. "They were always pushing me and telling me to buck up my ideas. They did not seem to understand that not everyone can board a plane, settle in a strange hotel, far from the family they love, and find it all easy.

"My homesickness worsened whenever I was forced into their company, and, to this day, I have no respect for either of them."

Huyton-born Gerrard will be granted the freedom of his home borough of Knowsley in a ceremony next year. Only three others, including former Prime Minister Howard Wilson, have been given the honour.